Fabregas: ‘Como not on same level as Inter, but getting close’
Cesc Fabregas reiterates that Como are ‘not on the same level as Inter, but getting close’ after fumbling a 2-0 lead to lose the Coppa Italia semi-final 3-2. ‘I cannot be angry tonight.’
This is a club that went bankrupt in 2017 and was still in Serie C until 2021, and had only ever reached the Coppa Italia semi-final in 1986.
They were so close to the Final for the first time, leading 2-0 with Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha goals, but just like when these teams met in Serie A on April 12, they were on the losing side.
A brace of Hakan Calhanoglu goals and Petar Sucic completed the comeback for a 3-2 Inter victory on the night and on aggregate.
Fabregas proud of Como progress
“The game changed after the goal for 2-1, but before that we had a chance with Diao to go 3-1 up when he was one-on-one, so that could’ve changed it the other direction,” Fabregas told Sport Mediaset.
“I know where we started this journey two and a half years ago, now we are challenging to enter the Coppa Italia Final, we come close to beating Inter twice in a few weeks. It’s all very nice, but I know where we come from.
“I knew these lads would give me a great performance after Friday’s defeat to Sassuolo, and they did that. We are still missing something, but again, we knew that. I know where they are in the process, and we are up against a team of veterans who have been together for six or seven years, so it is always maybe not easier as such, but certainly more likely to win the Scudetto with this squad.
“They were in the Champions League Final last season, they are a winning team. We must continue our journey, it was important for me to see where we were. Are we on the same level as Inter? No, but we are close. We’re just not quite as strong in the two penalty areas.”
Fabregas had surprised by starting with a three-man defence, and it had seemed to pay off until Calhanoglu started the comeback on 69 minutes. Does he feel angry or let down at fumbling a 2-0 lead again?
“Obviously, I am not happy, but at the same time I used to open the gate of the training camp at 6.30am just two and a half years ago. Now we are here, so I might be a bit angry when we make a poor performance like the one against Sassuolo on Friday, but I cannot be angry tonight,” added the coach.
“I’ve won a lot and lost a lot in my career, so I know it is all part of the process. I saw a Jurgen Klopp interview where he said he lost his first seven cup finals, and he is one of the best coaches in history.
“I could tell you a thousand stories about Como’s journey, but I will always try to stick to the message, which is we’re gradually getting there and can be thankful for having this team. If you look at the Inter squad, they are all internationals.
“We were close, but I don’t think angry is the right word for how I feel right now. There are some defeats, even with good performances, so we cannot throw this whole season in the air just because we feel a little sad right now, as there are still games to go.”
The story of Como’s campaign looks like it could be a lack of experience and winning mentality, because both times playing Inter this month, they were fully in control and didn’t make it stick.
“We are up against elite teams, so they deserve credit for making it difficult for us. We were also a little short today, as Vojvoda was out, Diao could only play 20 minutes or so. I cannot tell you if it was down to individual errors or what, but it’s true we can improve in many areas, and keep growing together.
“We are one of the top three or four teams in Europe who play the most Under-23 players, and that is nothing to sniff at. I was captain of Arsenal at age 21 with Arsene Wenger who used a lot of young players, I’m learning now as a coach that it is really not easy, so I can only be pleased with them,” concluded Fabregas.